Computing-scale



J. W. BRYCE.

COMPUTKNG SCALE.

APPLICAflON FILED APR. 14. 1916.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

SHEET 1.

I INVENTOI? BY KmW w" f? TTUHIVFW? J. W. BRYCE.

v COMPUTING SCALE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 14, I916.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR A TTOHNEYS B) i, W

J. W. BRYCE.

COMPUTING SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.'14.1916.

1,314,631. Patgnted Sept. 2,1919.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Q L i1 1 A 35 llli l [III IQ 3k 1 I 1 1 l l \1 1 5 1 i go I 1 f g I v; N a 1 i N I l w 1 A ITORNEYJ 1. W. BRYCE. commune SCALE.

' Patented Sept. 2,1919.

8 snins snin 4.

APPLICATION FILED APR. H. 1916 MEI/r00 L W. BRYCE.

COMPUTING SCALE. k

. m mmcnm man Amn. 1916. 4 i m a. 1,31%,fi3fi. Patemafi 2, MW

a shins-sum 5n INVENTOR awtei wq 4 TTORIIE V J. W. BRYCE.

COMPUTING SfiALE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 14. ms.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

- 8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

M/VENTOR BY Zlr, 61L,

A TTORNEYS J. W. BRYCE.

COMPUTING SCALE.

APPLICATION men APR. 14. 1915.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919. 8 SHEET$$HEET T- mmvron C442 M 1H Arrozm's J. W. BRYCE.

COMPUTING SCALE.

' APPLICATION FILED APR. n. 1916 1,314,631. Patentedsept. 2,1919,

.a swims-4mm a.

UNITED STATES JAMES W. BRYCE, 0F BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

, COMPUTING-SCALE.

To all 7(]LOI)L it may concern:

, Be it known that 1, JAMES V. BRYCE, citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomfield, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Computing-Scales, of which the followlng is a full, clear, and

exact description.

In computing scales, one of the most important considerations is the matter of light weight and small momentum of the load-- actuated parts; for the sensitiveness and accuracy of the scale depends in large measme upon such features, as will be readily understood. These points present less difficulty in the common type of scale in which the price or cost of the goods is displayed on a drum or dial, since in that type the moving parts are few and simple and have practically no work to perform; but it is otherwise in scales in which only one number-the price or cost of the goods weighed-- is displayed, for example on a series of coaxial numeral wheels each exhibiting. one digit of the amount. In machines of this type, in which numerical multiplication is actually performed, the scale must at least set or position a controlling member, which represents one of the factors (the weight of the goods) to be multiplied. Naturally, such member is made as small as possible, and of light material, so as to minimize inertia, momentum, and friction, but the ca- )acity of the scale depends, to some extent at least, upon the capacity of the controlling member or members, and hencethe temptation is to increase the size and consequently the momentum and inertia, of such members.

I have accordingly beenled to devise my present invention, which has ,for its object to provide an improved scale of the last- I mentioned type, in which the controlling or setting member can be so small and light as to have no appreciable eflect ofimpairing the accuracy of the machine, and yet permit the machine to have a relatively large ca pacity. To this and other ends the invention consists in the novel features and combinations hereinafter described.

in the preferred form. of. the invention the so-ralled controlling member or device (as- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

Application filed April 14, 1916. Serial No. 91,031.

suining only one such member or device to be used) is in the form of a wheel or circular disk of sheet metal, preferably aluminum for the sake of lightness as well as strength and stiffness, which is rotated by s the movement of the scale pan under the weight of the goods placed thereon. At or near its periphery the disk is provided with one or more series of apertures, and back of the disk I provide one or more circular series of pins which can be moved up (manually) into cooperation with the disk. The pins and the apertures are arranged on the principle of the Vernier scale. For instance, ten pins,

spaced equidistantly, may occupy the space of eleven apertures. In such case the reading of the scale will be to one-ninth of the space between twd successive apertures, or one-tenth of the space between two successive pins. The pins are capable of slight axial movement independently of each other, so .that when they are carried against the disk the pin that is in register with one or another of the apertures can pass into the same while the others are arrested. Then the pin that passes through a perforation is the one that determines the subsequent operation of the computing or registering mechanism.

One form of the invention, embodying the feature outlined above, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side View of the scale mechanism, the housing being in vertical section.

Fig; l is a detail view of a portion of the controlling disk, illustrating the preferred method of balancing the same.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on a plane immediat'ely in front of the parts shownin Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is-a detail View, on a larger scale, of the parts shown in the upper portion of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 4 is a sectional side view of the parts shown in Fig. 3, on the same scale,-the pins 22, 23, 24,, and some of the supporting studs 20, being omitted for the sake of clear ness.

Fig. 5 is a detail view, in vertical. section, of the lower portion of the controlling mem her and the annular pincarrier, showing the relation of the contact. pins when the latter are in initial position.

Fig. c i a detail view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the pins after they have been shifted axially into cooperation with the controlling member.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional plan view showing the numeral wheels and the segmental gears and ratchets by which they are rotatcd.

Fig. 8 is a detail side view showing the relation of the numeral wheels and their actuating ratchets and gears, and the electromagnetic mechanism. by which the movement of the ratchets are. controlled.

Fig. 5) is a diagram showing the wiring of the electrical portions of the machine.

Fig. 10 shows the apertured controlling disk or wheel in its initial or zero position. and Fig. 11 shows tho-same in an advanced position. The disk illustrated is graduated (that is, apertured) to give the total price or value of the goods on the scale pan at a certain price per pound but is rotated in proportion to the weight of the goods or load.

Figs. 12 and 13 are similar views of a controlling disk which is designed merely to givethe weight of the load on the pan, without regard to price.

Fig. 14 is a detail perspective view.

Fig. 15 is a detail elevation showing a modification of the controlling mechanisn'l, and

Fig. 16 is a detail section of the same.

The scale pan 10, Fig. 1, is mounted on a scale beam 11, supported at one end by the fulcrum or pivot 12 and at the other by a spring 13. The vertical rack 11, connected pivotally with and rcciprocated by the scale beam, meshes with a pinion 15 and thereby rotates the controlling disk 16 which is rigidly mounted on the same shaft as the pinion, said shaft being indicated at 1'7. See also Fig. 4. It will be understood that the parts are so designed and proportioned as .to make rotary movcn'ient of the disk proportiomd, inv a predetermined ratio, to the down ard movement of the pan under the weight of the load thereon. As shown in Figs. 4. 5 and (3. the disk is stiffened by a peripheral flange 18. In front is an annular member 18 to limit tlexure of the disk by pressure. from behind. The disk is fully described hereinafter, but at this point it may be stated that the particular disk shown in Figs. 10 and 11 has three circular series of price-apertures.onc series for units (cents), one for t s, and one for hundreds (or dollars).

Back of or alongside of and co-axial with the disk 10 is an annular carrier 19. of insulating material. aml mounted on the same by means of the posts it) is an annular guide 21, made of metal so as to be conductin The carrier supports three series of axially sliding metal pins. 23, ii. The pins are fitted in individual metal guides, as '35, and extend through but are insulated from the metal guide 21. Each pin is provided with ametal button so and with a light coil spring 27 to hold the pin normally with its button in contact with the metal guida 21, and the several pins are electrically connected as by wires 28 to individual contacts 29 (see Fig. 8 and also the wiring diagram, Fig. 9), there being one contact for each pin, while the guide 21 constitutes a bus-bar providing a common return to the battery or other source of current 30. The carrier 19. with the three series of contact pins, slides on rails 31., 32, toward and from the apertured disk. If when the pins are collectively brought up against the disk any pin finds an aperture in its path, that pin will pass on into the same and the electrical connection between the pin and guide or bus bar 21 will not be broken. See, for instance, pins 23 and 21, in Fig. (3. On the other hand, the other pins, as for instance pin 22,.Fig. (3, will be arrested, the guide '21 will continue its movement, and the electrical connection between the guide and the arrested pin will be broken. The three series of fixed contacts 29, Figs. 8 and 9, are arranged in the are of a circle and have movable contacts or wipers 33, carried by pivoted ratchets, one of which is shown at 34, Fig. Below the ratchets are three magnets 35, connected to the respective wipers .33 and in multiple with each other to the guide bus-bar 21. Consider now the three pins which are shown in contact with the bus-bar '21 in Fig. 9. Evidently. the three contacts 29, 29 29, in circuit with the said pins, will be energized or alive, so to speak, when the circuit through source 30 is closed. Then when the wiper at the left (Fig. 9) reaches contact 2%) the magnet below will be. energized, thcreb) throwing its pawl 96 into engagement with the particular ratchet-tooth that has been brought opposite the pawl by the swinging movement of the ratchet, as in Fig. 2 for example. The latter is thus brought to rest at a position depending upon the particular pin (of the associated series of pins) that met an aperture in the controlling disk and was thereby permitted to maintain its (l(f('- trical connection with the bus-bar '21. In like manner the other ratchets are arrested in corrcspomlcuce with the operation of the pins of their two series.

The three ratchets 34- are geared individually (see Figs. T and 8) to three numeral or digit wheels 37. hearing the proper digits on their peripheries: and since the movements of the ratchcts are determined in extent by the movements of the pins W 24, which latter movements are determined by the rotation of the controlling disk 16, it will be clear that the particular numerals or digits displayed by the wheels likewise depend upon the movement oil: the .::;-ntrolling dial. In short, the amount displayed on the digit wheels depends (for any given price-per-pound) upon the weight of the load on the scale pan.

The carrier 19, guide or bus-bar 21, and the three series of pins 22, 23, 24 (the whole of which can be conveniently termed an annular pin box) are shifted back and forth on the rails 31, 32 by means of arms 38 (Figs. 3 and 4) on a vertical shaft 39..

On the lower end of the latter is a bevel pinion 40 (Fig. 1) meshing with a segmental bevel gear 41 which is rocked by a cam 42, rotated by means of a handle or crank 43 outside of the housing 44 but fixed on the cam shaft 45, so that when the crank is revolved by the operator the shaft 39 will be rocked and the pin box brought up against the controlling disk 16.

The ratchet segments 34, Figs. 2 and 8, are actuated in the clockwise direction (as seen in the figures named) by separate coil springs, of which one is shown at 46, but are normally held at their initial or zero posit-ions (Fig. 8) by a universal bar or detent 47 extending through an arc-shaped slot 48 in each ratchet. The detent is carried by an arm 49, Fig. 2, mounted loosely on the shaft 50 on which the ratchets are also loosely mounted, and is connected by a vertical link 51- to an arm 52, pivoted on the shaft 68 and provided With a stud 53 for coiiperation with a cam 54 which is fixed on shaft 45. Remembering that the shaft is rotated by the crank or handle 43, Fig. 1, it will be seen that when the shaft is turned the cam releases the arm 52 and so permits the ratchets to move, carrying presses arm 52 (by engagement with stud.

53). thereby rocking arm 48 and retracting the universal bar or detent 47 in the counter clockwise (lll'GCillOIl. As thebar 47 is retracted. it picks up, one after another, such of the ratchets as were advanced, and restores them. and the associated numeral wheels. to initial position. Clearly, any ratchet is free to swing until arrested by its magnet. and none of the ratchets affects any of the others.

The circuit through the bus-bar 21. source 30, and magnets 35 is normally open at the spring contacts 55, Figs. 2 and 9. At the proper instant a cam 56, fixed on the shaft 45, depresses arm 57. This arm, being rigidly connected to arm 58, depresses the latter and so closes the contacts. In order to economize current, provision is made for locking the magnet armatures 59, which operate the locking pawls 36, as soon as they are all actuated by their magnets, so that the circuit can then be broken at contacts 55. For this purpose a hooked pawl or locking dog 60 is provided for each armature, held normally in operative position by a light spring 61. When the armature is drawn over by its magnets, against the tension of its restoring spring 62, it is engaged and heldby its locking dog. Eventually, of course, the armatures must be released. F or this purpose the dogs, which are loose on the shaft or fulcrum 6.3, are

crossed by a short universal bar (Fig.3) 64 carried by an arm 65 on the same shaft. This armis connected by a. link 66 (Fig. 2) to an arm 67 loose on shaft 68 on which arm 52 is mounted. A cam 69, fixed on the cam shaft 45, coiipera tes with a stud on the end of arm 67 and at the proper time depresses the latter, thereby swinging the locking dogs downand out of engagement with the armatures 59; whereupon the armatures are retracted by their springs 62. This operation requires but an instant, and as soon as the armatures have been retracted the rise on cam 69 passes the stud on arm 67 thus permitting the springs 61 to restore the dogs to their operative positions.

The parts are shown in initial position in Fig. 2. In this position the amount last computed is still displayed on the numeral or price wheels 37, Figs. 2 and 7. When the next load is placed on the pan the controlling disk or wheel 16, Figs. 1 and 4, is rotated to a new position. The operator then turns the crank 43, Fig. 1, to rotate the cam shaft 45 in the direction of the arrow on cam 54, Fig. 2. The first effect of rotating the cam shaft is to depress arm 67, thereby releasing the locking dogs 60. Then cam 54 depresses arm 52, driving down link 51 and rocking counterclockwise the arm 49 which swings the ratchets or sectors 34 back to initial position, displaying 0.00 on the numeral or price wheels 37. Cam 42, Fig. 1, now rocks the sector 41, which rocks shaft 39 and through theagency of arms 38, Figs. 3 and 4, brings the pin box 19 up, against the disk 16. In this operation the rim of the disk engages the pointed alining or justifying stud and so locks the disk in the position to which it was brought by the load on the scale pan. Cam 56, Fig. 2, now rocks levers 57-5S, thus closing the contacts'55 at the beginning of the operation, as described above) and as each moving contact reaches a live contact 29 the corresponding magnet 35 is energized, thereby locking the sector and the pawl 59-36. Cam 12 now retracts the pin box 19 to initial position,

- and cam 56 permits the contacts 55 to open.

The cycle is then completed, with the nu meral wheels 37 showing the price of the goods just weighed.

Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, it will be observed that at about the center of the rim of the wheel or disk is a circular series of: perforations or, sixty in number (fifteen in each quadrant). These holes are spaced equidistantly,in the present instance six degrees of are apart, and it is assumed that the machine is so designed that a sixty-de gree movement of the disk corresponds to one dollars worth of goods at a certain rate per pound. What. that rate may is at present immaterial. The characters 0, 1, 2 99$ (zero cents, one cent, two cents, etc.) designate the ten pins of the circular series :23, Fig. 6. Pin 1 is beyond the eleventh 10-cent space (that is, in the direction of movementof the disk as indicated by the arrow) far enough for a disk-movement of one-tenth of a space to bring the adjacent aperture a into register with the pin. Then the corresponding contact A Fig. 9, will be energized, and accordingly the units numeral wheel 37, (Fig. 7) will be turned nine steps, thereby displaying the numeral one in the units column. Similarly, a diskmovement of two-tenths of a space will bring aperture a (which is the twenty-second aperture, beginning with the one at the top and counting in the clockwise direction) in register with pin 2, and hence contact A Fig, 9, will then be energized, with the result that the numeral 2 will be displayed in the units-place or column. (This two-tenths movement may or may not be sutficient. to carry hole a past pin 1, but that is immaterial, since the contact A is ahead of A and hence the numeral wheel will be arrested as soon as A is reached by the moving contact or wiper. In other words, it is the highest of the energized or live contacts that determines the operation of the numeral wheel.) In like manner, each one-cent increment of movementof the disk brings the next pin into operation. The 43 pin. it will -be observed, cooperates with the fit ty-fii th hole. Continuing the counting in the same direction, the 6 in cooperates with the sixty-sixth hole, pin 7 with the seventyseventh, pin 895 with the eighty-eighth, and pin 9 with the ninety-ninth. Moreover, at each wholespace movement of'the Wheel a new series of holes, previously unused, comes into operation. For instance, if the wheel is turned 1.1 of a space, pin 1 then cooperates not with the hole marked a in Fig. 10 but with the hole marked a In this way, by overlapping the series of holes, so to speak, I make sixty wide spaces do the work that would otherwise require six hundred such spaces. Furthermore, to give the same degree of certainty or accuracy of operation the spacing in the six hundred holes would have to be the same as in the sixty holes. In other words, by interlocking the several series of holes I make a small wheel do the workof one ten times as large.

It will be understood that, mathematically, speaking, the successive pins, as, for example, the 0, 1, 2 pins, etc., follow each other in numerical order. Preferably, also, thev have this arrangement in the physical embodiment of this scheme; but it will be seen on a little reflection that the regular order of succession need not be followed. For instance, the 3 pin might be between the 1 pin and the 2 pin, if it be properly spaced from the aperture with which it should cooperate when the disk has turned of a space.

Outside of the series of perforations a is a circular series of six equidistant elongated apertures, or slots, 1) each equal in extentto' nine-tenths of a ten-cent space (that is, a space between two successive perforations a) and preferably each radially opposite such a space. The slot 6 for instance, has its forward end preferably in register with hole a, and extends backward nine-tenths of the space. Slot 6 then has its forward end registering with hole a, and extends backward nine-tenths of the space, and so on around the disk. The characters 00, 10, 20, etc-., designate the pins of the series marked 21 in Fig. 6. The pin 10 is in position'to cooperate with slot 6 at all positions of the disk between the position for ten cents and nineteen cents. Thus it the disk is turned ten-tenths of a space, the ninety-ninth hole will be carried past pin 9 but the forward end of slot Z will be carried into the path of pin 10 and the hundredths hole will be carried into the path of pin 0c. Hence $.10 will be displayed on the cents wheel 37. It the wheel is turned eleventh-tenth of a space, slot 7) will still register with pin 10, but in addition, hole a will register with pin 1 and accordingly $.11 will be displayed; and so on until 15) is reached. At the next step (meaning a disk-movement of twenty-tenths of a space) slot 6 is carried beyond pin 10, but

12 is in the path of pin 50. The slot-series.

now overlaps; so that at the $.60 to $.69 positions of the diskLthe slotmarked 1) becomes slot 6 and registers with pin 60. From $.70 to $.79, slot 6 acts as slot b and cooperate with pin 70, and so on. From $.90 to $.99, slot 6 acts as b and cooperates with pin 90.

Inside of the series of holes a, is a single opening in the form of a cutaway portion 0, extending over an angular distance equal to .99 of ten spaces between holes a. The characters $0, $1, $2, $3, etc., designate the six pins of the series 22, Fig. 6. Atthe $.99 position of the disk, described above, the forward end of opening 0 is just in rear of pin $1. A one-cent step farther will then bring the forward end of the opening 0 into register with the pin $1., and will carry slot 72 away from pin 90 and carry slot b into register with pin 00. At the same time,

the hole previously in the path of pin 9 will he carried out of register therewith and a hole will be carried into register with pin 0. Thenumeral wheels 37 will then show Throughout the positions of the disk from $1.00 to $1.99, opening 0 will be in coopera tion with pin $1. From $2.00 to $2.99, open ing 0 will cooperate with pin $2, and so on. At the initial position of the disk apertures a, b, and c are in register with pins 0, 00, and $0, respectively and hence $0.00 is dis played on the numeral wheels.

If desired, the disk 16 can be provided with a scale 70, Figs. 10, 11 and 14, visible through an opening 71 in the housing 41 toward the operator so that he can read against an index 72 the amount displayed on the numeral wheels 37.

Instead of the price, the machine can be constructed to display the weight of the goods. A controlling disk for this purpose is shown in Figs. 12 and 13, and is designed for pounds, ounces, and half-ounces. In

principle it is the same as the price-disk ounces (from 10 oz. to 15 oz.) and the open;

care of the pounds, up to, say

ing p takes ten. pounds. The disk may have a scale 7 3,

to enable the operator to read the weight against an index 74. Of course with the disk shown in Figs. 12 and 13 the numeral wheels could be arranged to display the weight of the load instead of its price or value.

The edge of the flange or rim 18, Figs. 4, 5 and 6, is preferably serrated, with as many notches as there are positions of the disk. Thus in the case of the disk shown inFigs.

l0 and 11 and described above, the number of'notches would be six hundred. At a convenient position on the annular member 18 is a pointed pin or stud 7 5 to cooperate with the serrations. Then when the pin box 19 is brought'up against the disk, flexing the latter toward the member 18, the stud will engage one of the notches and position the disk accurately to the nearest cent;it being understood, of course, that there are ten successive notches or teeth in accurate registry with each space between the centers of two successive perforations a.

It will be observed that the apertures a in the controlling disk constitutes several successive series, each series beginning in rear of the first aperture of the series next preceding. Thus apertures a, a a, constltute the first series; while apertures a,

a etc., constitute the second series, with its first aperture (a in rear of the first aperture (c of the first, or next preceding series. So, also, apertures a (1 etc., form the third series, beginning in rear of aperture (13 of the second series.

It desired,-the apertures in the controlling disk can be replaced by electrical contacts, as shown in Figs. 15 and 10, in which 16 designates the disk, which is overlaid with insulating material. contacts, indicated by a, 6,, 0,, Fig. 16, are arranged and spaced like the corresponding three series of apertures in Fig. 10, and are 1n electrical connection witha conducting ring or band 75 (through the metal portion of the disk) on which bears a brush or light The three series of i spring contact 76. The latter, with the wire 77, takes the place of the bus-bar 21,

Fig. 9. The carrier 19, made of insulating material carries the three series of spring contact-pins 22, 23, 24, which correspond to the third series of pins 22, 23. 24, Figs. 5 and 6, and which cooperate with the contacts on the disk when'the carrier and the disk are brought together, as indicated in Fig; 16. A portion of the carrier is shown in elevation in Fig. 15'and the contact-pins in suchportion are shown connected to wires marked 10, 1 $0, etc., which wires are to be connected to the corresponding contacts 29 in Fig. 9. It will be understood that the magnets '35, Fig. 9, are all to be connected to the wire 77, Fig. 15 through the battery 30. Evidently, when a contact on the disk registers with a contact-pin on the carrier the circuit is completed to the corresponding contact 29, so that when the corresponding wiper 3?) reaches such contact 29, the particular magnet which is in circuit therewith will be energized and will arrest the corresponding numeral-display wheel 37 as already explained.

The construction described in the foregoing paragraph can be used in a scale, the friction of the brush 76 on the rim 75 being made very light, but it finds its chief utility in computing or like machines in which the disk 16 rotated by hand or power to the proper position, corresponding, say, to the product of two factors.

The controlling disks specifically described herein are very nearly symmetrical and hence very nearly in balance, that is very nearly devoid of any inherent tendency to turn in either direction. A simple method of putting the disk in practically perfect balance is shown in detail in Fig. 1. For this purpose the spokes of the disk are each slotted lengthwise to receive a small bolt or machine screw 78 with a nut 79. These bolts can be adjusted radially until balance is attained and there secured firmly in position by tightening the nuts.

The stem 10, Fig. l, on which the scale pan 10 i mounted, is maintained in vertical position by means of parallel movement mechanism 10*, to which the stem is connected by an arm 10.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the construction herein described. On the contrary it can be successfully embodied in a variety of widely different forms without departure from its spirit, and in the embodimentillustrated numerous modifications can be made. For instance, it is, in general, in'imaterial whether the pins are moved up to the controlling member (preferably a disk, as described), or the latter moved up to the pins; or whether the controlling member is moved (rotated, in the present instance) past the pin-box, or vice versa. In the appended claims the pins are said to represent successive digits of a numerical order. Evidently it is immaterial how many units of one order make one unit of the next higher order, and whether the order represented cxpresscscents, or ounces. etc. Moreover, the size or value of the unit may be one cent, or two cents, or five cents, or one ounce or two ounces, etc., depending on the relative spacing of the pins and apertures, just as the vernier of a divided circle may read to one minute or to two or more minutes.

What I claim is:

1. In a scale, the combination with a scale pan to receive the load, and means whereby the pan is so mounted as to be actuated by I the load a distance proportional to the load; of a controlling member having a plurality of controlling apertures; means connecting the controlling member and the pan whereby the latter is movable in correspondence with the pan; a series of pins and a i'nounting therefor whereby the pins are axially movable individually and also movable collectively into cooperation with the apertured controlling member, the pins and the controlling member apertures being in overlapping'vernier relation; means for carrying the pins collectively against the controlling member whereby any pin in registry with an aperture therein will enter such aperture; and display mechanism controlled by the entering pin.

2. In a scale, the combination with a scale pan to receive the load, and means whereby the pan is so mounted as to be actuated by the load a distance proportional to the load; of a controlling disk having a plurality of series of controlling apertures around its periphery; means connecting the pan and the disk to rotate the disk from an initial position to an extent proportional to the load on the pan; a plurality of series of pins, one series for each series of apertures in the disk; means whereby the pins are so mounted as to be movable collectively toward and from the disk and also movable independently of each other, the pins of each series and the apertures of each series being spaced in overlapping vernier relation; means for shifting the pins collectively into cooperation with the disk whereby any pin in registry with an aperture will enter the same and the other pins be held back; and display mechanism arranged to be controlled by the entering pin or pins.

3. In a scale, in combination, a scale pan to receive the load, and means whereby the pan is so mounted as to be actuated by the load a distance proportional to the load; a rotary disk having the circular series of apertures spaced equi angularly apart; means whereby the disk is controlled by the pan to rotate in correspondence with the movement of the pan under the influence of the load; a circular series of pins and a mounting therefor whereby the pins are movable collectively toward and from the disk to cooperate with the same and are also movable independently of each other, a number of said pins representing successive digits of a given numerical order, being spaced apart to extend over substantially the space of the entire series of apertures in the disk, and others of said pins representing the remaining digits of said order, following the last of the first number of pins,

being located between the pins of said first number; means for shifting the pins into cooperation with the disk whereby any pin in registry with an aperture therein will enter tanceiproportional to the load; a controlling member having a series of apertures; means for moving the controlling member in correspondence with the movement of the pan; a series of pins spaced in Vernier relation to the apertures in the controlling member;

supporting means for the pins, permitting movement of the pins individually relatively to the controlling member; means for shifting the pins collectively into cooperation with the controlling member whereby any pin in registry with an aperture in said member will enter such aperture and the remaining pins be restrained; display mechanism; controlling mechanism therefor, having a plurality of electric controlling circuits including said pins; and means en- .abling current in the circuit of a pin which enters an aperture in the disk to actuate the controlling mechanism. 1 i

5. In a scale, the combination of aImovable controlling member having a series of apertures, a series of pins in Vernier relation to said apertures and movable into cooperation with the controlling member whereby any pin in registry with an aperture will enter the same and the others be restrained, an insulated carrier for said pins, in. which they are individually movable and including a conducting member with which/they are in electrical connectiom the connection through a -pin being broken when such pin is restrained from movement byv engagement with the controlling member, a plurality of circuits connected with the'said conducting member and with the respective pins Whereby only the circuits of pins that enter apertures in the controlling member will be closed when the pins are shifted into cooperation with the controlling member, and dis play mechanism arranged to operate under the control of said circuits.

6. The combination of a circular series of having a plurality of successive circular series of spaced-. apertures con-centric with the circular series of pins, the first aperture of each series being immediately in rear of the first aperture of the next preceding series; the pins and each series of apertures being spaced in Vernier relation whereby the series of pins cooperates with any of the several series of apertures according to the extent of rotation of the disk, and means for actuating the pin carrier to bring the pins collectively into cooperation with the disk whereby any pin in registry with an aperture therein will enter the same and the other pins be restrained.

7. The combination with a rotary disk having a plurality of overlapping circular series of spaced apertures, all the apertures being in the same circumferential line; of a single circular series of axially arranged pins concentric with the several overlapping series of apertures and spaced in vernier relation to each of said overlapping series of apertures; a carrier in which the pins are individually movablelengthwise; and means for moving the carrier toward the disk to carry the pins collectively into cooperation therewith.

8. The combination with a circular series of pins arranged parallel to each other; an

axially movable carrier in which the pins are.indi viduallymovable in an axial direction; a rotary disk havin in a'single circumferential'line a plurality of equidistant apertures, the number of apertures being an even multiple of the number of pins thereby providing'a plurality of series of apertures to cooperate with the series of pins, the series of pins and each series of apertures so provided being in Vernier relation; and means for shifting the pin carrier toward and from the disk.

9. The combination of a disk having a plurality. of overlapping circular series of spaced apertures, all the apertures being in the same circumferential line; a single circular series of pins concentric with the several overlapping series of apertures and spaced in Vernier relation to each of said overlapping series of apertures; and a support in which said pins are axially movable.

Intestimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JAMES W. BRYCE. 

